WALLACE W HANSEN

Native Plants of the Northwest

Native Plant Nursery & Gardens

2158 Bower Ct S.E., Salem, Oregon 97301 E-Mail: Wallace W Hansen
PHONE (503)581-2638 FAX(503)581-9957

Updated May 22, 2003

Wallace Hansen Celebrates Lewis and Clark's Bicentennial

Botanical Discoveries of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Bitter Cherry (Prunus emarginata)

Near Kamia in Idaho County, Idaho on May 29, 1806

The label on this specimen says "A smaller Shrub than the Choak cherry, the natives count it a good fruit. On the Kooskooskie."

Indeed, all that remains of this particular collection aside from the label is a twig and partially disintegrated leaf. But the botanical scholars (Pursh and Meehan) who were the last to work with this specimen, are satisfied that what Lewis collected was our Northwest Native Bitter Cherry (Prunus emarginata). A lovely landscape plant, Oregon Native Bitter Cherry is a good bloomer and it's fruit is truly a magnet for birds. Though the cherries are unfit for human consumption due to the cyanide they contain as well as their bitter taste, the birds find them to be a delicious feast.

See our Spring Sale for special pricing on this Northwest Native tree.

At right is a painting by botanical artist Heidi Hansen. This is one of a series of four water colors Heidi has done on the theme of Wally's Bird Walk. To see the other three paintings and for pricing, go to our Botanical Art Site. 

Bitter Cherry

(Prunus emarginata)

Heidi Hansen watercolor

(Click on picture for large view)

At this time in 1806:

Trouble finds Sacagawea. Her "husband," Charbonneau, brings their son to Captain Clark for healing:

Charbonneau's son, a small child, is dangerously ill. His jaw and throat much swelled. We apply a poultice of onions, after giving him some cream of tartar, &c. This day proved to be fine and fair, which afforded us an opportunity of drying our baggage, which had got a little wet. Captain Clark, 22 May 1806

The child is something better this morning than it was last night. We applied a fresh poultice of the wild onion, which we repeated twice in the course of the day. The swelling does not appear to increase any since yesterday. The 4 Indians who visited us today informed us that they came from their village on Lewis's River, two days' ride from this place, for the purpose of seeing us and getting a little eye-water. I washed their eyes with some eye-water, and they all left us at 2 P.M. and returned to the villages on the opposite side of this river. Captain Clark, 23 May 1806

The child was very restless last night. Its jaw and back of its neck is much more swollen than it was yesterday. I gave it a dose of cream of tartar and a fresh poultice of onions. Ordered Shields, Gibson, Drouilliard, Cruzat, Collins, and Joe and Reuben Fields to turn out hunting and if possible cross Collins Creek and hunt toward the quamash fields [Note from Wally: Quamash is our Northwest Native Camas]. W. Bratton is yet very low. He eats heartily, but he is so weak in the small of his back that he can't walk. We have made use of every remedy to restore him without its having the desired effect.

One of our party, John Shields, observed that he had seen men in similar situations restored by violent sweats, and Bratton requested that he might be sweated in the way Shields proposed, which we agreed to.

Shields dug a round hole 4 feet deep and 3 feet in diameter, in which he made a large fire so as to heat the hole, after which the fire was taken out, a seat placed in the hole. The patient was then set on the seat with a board under his feet and a can of water handed him to throw on the bottom and the sides of the hole, so as to create as great a heat as he could bear, and the hole covered with blankets supported by hoops. After about twenty minutes, the patient was taken out and put in cold water a few minutes and returned to the hole, in which he was kept about an hour, then taken out and covered with several blankets, which were taken off by degrees until he became cool. This remedy took place yesterday and Bratton is walking about today, and is much better than he has been.

At l l A.M. a canoe came down with the Indian man who had applied for medical assistance while we lay at The Broken Arm's village. This man I had given a few doses of flowers of sulphur and cream of tartar and directed that he should take the cold bath every morning. He conceded himself a little better than he was at that time. He had lost the use of all his limbs, and his fingers are contracted. We are at a loss to determine what to do for this unfortunate man. I gave him a few drops of laudanum and some portable soup l as medicine. Captain Clark, 24 May 1806

The child something better this morning, though the swelling yet continues. We still apply the onion poultice. I directed what should be done for the disabled man, gave him a few doses of cream of tartar and flowers of sulphur, and some portable soup and directed that he should be taken home and sweated, &c. Captain Clark, 26 May 1806

Charbonneau's child is much better today, though the swelling on the side of his neck, I believe, will terminate in an ugly imposthume, a little below the ear. The Indians were so anxious that the sick chief (who has lost the use of his limbs ) should be sweated under our inspection, they requested me to make a second attempt today. Accordingly, the hole was enlarged, and his father a very good-looking old man performed all the drudgery, &c. We could not make him sweat as copiously as we wished, being compelled to keep him erect in the hole by means of cords. After the operation, he complained of considerable pain. I gave him thirty drops of laudanum, which soon composed him, and he rested very well. Captain Clark, 27 May 1806

And so Captain Clark, with the help of the other men, has brought healing to Sacagawea's son and W. Bratton (a member of the Corps) through the use of mainly herbal remedies and old-fashioned treatment. Were they privileged to have access to modern medicine and nursing, would the outcome have been different?

As to the other patient noted here, the "sick chief," the administering of laudanum undoubtedly "composed" him. One of the few tinctures in use in 1806 for pain and discomfort, today we know that this is an extremely addictive poison. It's the same drug that was used by Sir Conan Doyle and Doc Holiday. But in the Expedition's day, it was the best they could do and it seems the treatment was quite successful in this instance.

Current events:

Fort Clatsop National Memorial

Astoria, Oregon

Just 5 miles south of Astoria, Oregon on US 101, this is the site of Lewis and Clark's winter-over spot in 1805-1806. The weather was typically Oregon/Washington moist but the Corps made good use of their winter rest. They entertained numerous visitors from the area, providing medicine and bartering opportunities. A great many of the botanical specimens they brought back to the East were collected right here.

Visit this national memorial and learn what life was like for these brave folk. Interpreters in costume will tell you all about it. Close your eyes and you might even think you are back in the days 200 years ago!

Call (503)861-2471 for more information.

Southwest Washington Convention & Visitors Bureau
Northwest History - Spring Celebration Calendar of Events

May 3-July 31 - Skamokawa Indian Village display at the Three Creeks Library

May 9-July 27 - "End of Our Voyage" exhibit at the O.O. Howard House
Wed. through Fri., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sat. through Sun., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. Hosted by the City of Vancouver.

May 23 - "Lewis and Clark on the Lower Columbia River"
A Clark College Mature Learning Class. Call (360) 992-2153 or visit www.clark.edu.

May 29, 7 p.m. - "Tree troopers, cherry pickers and dam builders: Commemoration the 70th Anniversary of the Civilian Conversation Corps"
At the Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way. Co-sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service, Celebrate Freedom-Vancouver National Historic Reserve, National Park Service and the Center for Columbia River History. www.ccrh.org/center/pobfs.htm.

May 31- June 1 - Sturgeon Festival at the Water Resources Education Center
Family activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Center is located at 4600 SE Columbia Way. Event and activities are free. Call 696-8478.

Flyers featuring information on all of these activities is available from the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial office by calling (360) 906-7119 or check the individual websites for more information.

(360) 750-1553 ext. 20 - Vancouver, Washington

May 17-18, 2003

History comes alive in Frontier Park at this annual event commemorating the arrival in St. Charles of Clark and the Corps of Discovery and Lewis' rendezvous with them.

In a large encampment along the Missouri River you'll find numerous time period crafts on display and demonstrations of frontier skills. Vendors offer a variety of foods and beverages prepared as they were 200 years ago. Groups portraying military units of the late 18th and early 19th centuries will raise the "Colors" each morning and retire them in the evening. Tactical demonstrations will include the firing of cannons and muskets.

The largest Fife and Drum Corps muster west of the Mississippi River is a popular attraction. Eight to ten Corps from around the Midwest are expected. The "massed band" of 150 fifers and drummers parading through the park and down main street is a stirring sight and sound you will never forget.

Other entertainment includes singers, fiddlers, and dulcimer players all performing tunes from the time of Lewis and Clark. Children's games and puppet shows are a highlight for the kids.

In a visit to Lewis and Clark's camp you'll find the Corps of Discovery making final preparations for their expedition, just as they did here in 1804. Full scale reproductions of the keelboat and two pirogues are on display.

Relive history at the Lewis and Clark Heritage Days in St. Charles – where the adventure began.

Invitation to participants:
Crafters, demonstrators, entertainers, food vendors, sutlers and traders portraying the time period of 1750-1812 are welcome to apply for participation in the Lewis and Clark Heritage Days.
Contact: mamccoyusa@yahoo.com

Civilian and military re-enactors of the time period from the French and Indian War through the War of 1812 can apply by contacting: wbrecht@yahoo.com

Contact Name: John Dengler
St. Charles Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission
700 South Main
St. Charles, MO 63301
636-946-6899
innkeeper@booneslick.com
www.lewisandclarkstcharles.com

Back Issues:

To see back issues of Wallace Hansen Celebrates Lewis and Clark, click on this link to jump to the index. 

Commemorative Painting by Heidi Hansen:

The illustrated map below was created by renowned botanical artist Heidi D. Hansen especially for this website. Done in ink and watercolors, Heidi shows many of the plants Captain Lewis documented overlaid atop a map showing a portion of the journey. (Click on image for large view). All the plants pictured are available from Wally Hansen! See our Spring Sale site and our online catalog for more information.

Good luck and happy gardening!

Wally

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